5.25.2016

The Weird History of Asian Sex Stereotypes

MTV's Decoded drops some six-minute truth about western perceptions of Asian sexuality.

Why are Asian women considered "sexy" and "desirable"? While are Asian men considered... well, not. It's a pervasive, seemingly age-old perception that has plagued Asian men and women in various ways, from media representation to shitty bar encounters to ridiculously unproductive internet commentary.

Seriously (not seriously), we've been discussing and debating this topic in internet forums since at least 1957.

In this video for MTV's Decoded, Franchesca Ramsey drops some six-minute truth about these destructive and persistent western perceptions of Asian sexuality. She attempts to get at the origins of these ideas, breaking down some historical and sociological background for folks getting to the conversation a little late.

Naturally, this explanation required the presence of a buff and gratuitously shirtless Asian dude.